Rio de Janeiro

Best Things To Do

Address: Estrada das Bandeirantes 24,000, Recreio dos Bandeirantes Tel: 2428 9000 Admission: US$14 Opening Times: 10am-5pm Sat, Sun and holidays

Showing 1–15 of 15 places

City guide section

Top picks in Rio de Janeiro

Showing 1–15 of 15 places

Browse the highlights below, then open any place for maps, area notes, and practical details.

Rio Water Planet

Address: Estrada das Bandeirantes 24,000, Recreio dos Bandeirantes Tel: 2428 9000 Admission: US$14 Opening Times: 10am-5pm Sat, Sun and holidays

Terra Encantada

Address: Av Ayrton Senna 2800, Barra da Tijuca Tel: 2421 9444 Admission: adult/child US$12/14 Opening Times: 2-9pm Thu-Sun, noon-9pm Sun

Mini Rio

Address: 1st floor, Barra Shopping, Av das Americas, Barra da Tijuca Opening Times: 10am-10pm

Jardim Zoologico

Address: Rua Paula e Silva, Sao Cristovao Tel: 2569 2024 Admission: US$2 Opening Times: 9am-4:30pm Tue-Sun

Parque da Cidade & Museu Historico da Cidade

Opening Time: 7am-6pm Admission: Free

Ingreja de NS de Candelaria

The original design of this church (dating back to the 16th century) was originally commissioned by a sea captain who had almost been lost at sea and, upon his safe return, decided to build a church.

Ipanema and Leblon Beaches

While on first look the beaches of Ipanema and Leblon seem to be just one long beach, there are posts along it that subdivide it into sections appropriate for the diverse crowds that come here.

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

2lm cycling/walking track around it. Bikes and paddle boats are available from the Parque Brigadeiro Faria Lima which is nearby.

Jardim Botanico

Designed by order of Prince Regent Dom Joao in 1808, it’s a quiet place on weekdays but busier on weekends when families come and there is an outdoor cafe.

Parque Lage

English style gardens and lakes are to be found here as well as the Instituto Nacional de Belas Artes, which often houses art exhibitions.

As with Ipanema, there are signposted areas designating which groups occupies which part of the beach. Leme beach is frequented by the favela children and older residents; while the area between the Copacabana

Pao de Acucar

Sunset on a clear day is the best time to visit this mountain, which from its peak offers the best view of Rio de Janeiro. Try to avoid going around 10-11am and 2-3pm which is when the tourist buses arrive.